Howe Demands Training Commitment from £124m Newcastle Underperformers

Eddie Howe has delivered a pointed message to two of Newcastle's biggest-money signings: shape up in training or face the bench.

The Newcastle manager has made clear that Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa must demonstrate their commitment during the week if they hope to force their way back into contention, with both players struggling for minutes as the Magpies battle relegation form.

Newcastle's predicament is stark. Sitting 14th in the Premier League, the club has endured a nightmare sequence of eight defeats across their last eleven matches, piling pressure on Howe's position at St James' Park.

Woltemade, who arrived as the club's record signing for £69m from Stuttgart, has seen his Tyneside adventure stall considerably. After an encouraging beginning, the forward has managed just ten minutes of action across the past two games, with Will Osula getting the nod as the lead striker.

When pressed on what Woltemade needs to do to reclaim his place, Howe explained: "It is difficult because our centre forwards have been productive. Anthony Gordon played up front and was scoring as the number nine and now Will Osula has come in and scored as a number nine. At the minute we have gone with a different option to Nick. His fitness is fine. When he plays he has to deliver the goals we need."

Wissa's situation is even more dire. The £55m summer arrival has featured for just two minutes across five consecutive matches—barely enough time to break a sweat.

Both players must now prove their mettle where it matters most. "They have to show their worth in training," Howe stated. "Like with every player that's not playing, that's their shop window for me to pick them, to show how they train, how they commit to the training. How much they're prepared to put individual disappointment to the side for the team to then come back fighting again."

The Newcastle boss also sought to downplay the significance of an upcoming visit from Public Investment Fund chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan next week, despite mounting speculation about his future. The club has publicly backed Howe, and the manager treated the visit as routine business.

"It's something that happens regularly, so it's nothing out of the norm for us," he said. "I always like the chance to talk directly to the owners and to express things from my perspective. It's something we have always done, and I look forward to that next week."

With Arsenal awaiting at the Emirates this Saturday, Howe is focused on the immediate challenge rather than the bigger picture. European qualification feels like a distant dream when survival is the priority.

"Five wins out of five are needed for ourselves, they're needed for the club, they're needed for everybody," he said. "So I don't think we're looking at it as for Europe. I think we're looking at it that we need to win a game. First step is win a game and then try and win another one, and that's what we're trying to do."